According to the company statement, the annual production of 65% Fe content pellets also hit a record, increasing by 1.6% YoY, to 10.35 million tons, while that of 62% Fe content pellets dropped by 48.6% YoY, to 0.66 million tons.

The share of premium pellets in 2016 increased to 94.1% from 88.9% in 2015. Last year 67% Fe content pellets output went up to 123 thousand tons from 40 thousand tons in 2015.

“The decrease in the overall pellets output is explained by the increase of premium pellets production by 1 million tons YoY, to 3.3 million tons, among other things”, the company said.

In 2016 Ferrexpo decreased pellets production of its own ore by 1.7% YoY, to 11.07 million tons, including that of 65% Fe content pellets up by 4.4% YoY, to 10.4 million tons, and 62% Fe content pellets down by 48.4% YoY, to 0.66 million tons. In Q4 2016 pellets output went up by 10.3% QoQ, to 2.873 million tons, including by 6.3%, to 2.767 million tons of pellets from Ferrexpo’s own ore. (Ukrainian metal)